Compare Lamictal vs. Trileptal

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

Prevents seizures and stabilizes mood. Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is most useful for treating severe seizure disorders, and for bipolar disorder with more depression symptoms than manic symptoms. Just be careful to increase your dose slowly to avoid skin rash.

Prevents seizures. Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) is effective at preventing seizures and you don’t need to get regular blood tests to make sure it’s effective, but it has many drug interactions.

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The free Iodine Start program helps people track how well they are improving, and find the right antidepressant faster.

The free Iodine Start program (personal reports and coaching) is currently only for antidepressants. For now, you can read our pharmacist info about this medication.Learn more about Lamictal (Lamotrigine) ›

› If you have kidney problems, your dose may need to be adjusted. Your doctor will check your kidney function regularly.

Sex

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No specific sex-related info.

Sleep

No specific sleep-related info.

› Can cause difficulty concentrating, tiredness or drowsiness, and problems with coordination.

› You can experience dizziness, drowsiness, double vision, stomach upset, and trouble with coordination while on this.

Weight

No specific weight-related info.

› Hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) have been reported with Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine). Your thyroid levels may need to be tested regularly, Let your doctor know if you are more fatigued, gaining weight without any apparent reason, feeling more depressed, or are more sensitive to cold.

Upsides and benefits

Lamictal

Trileptal

› Effective at lowering the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy or Lennox-Gestaut syndrome. Typically used together with other medications for severe seizure disorders.

› Works best for partial, tonic-clonic, and absence seizures.

› A first-line treatment for bipolar disorder. Effective long-term treatment for stabilizing mood. Prevents both depressive and manic episodes, but the effect is greater for preventing depression.

› Doesn't require routine blood tests.

› Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) is effective at lowering the frequency of seizures, especially for people with partial seizures.

› If you have trouble swallowing tablets, Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) is also available as an oral solution.

› You won’t need to get regular blood tests to check the drug levels in your body.

› Available in a generic form.

Downsides and risks

Lamictal

Trileptal

› Can cause double vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and headache.

› Has the risk of a rare but life-threatening rash.

› Can make hormonal birth control less effective.

› Might be less effective than other medicines for treating manic episodes (acute mania) in people with bipolar disorder.

› It’s important to take your dose on time so that Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) has steady levels in your body.

› Interacts with many other medicines and supplements.

› Can cause difficulty concentrating, tiredness or drowsiness, and problems with coordination.

› If you have kidney problems, your dose may need to be adjusted. Your doctor will check your kidney function regularly.

› Being pregnant lowers the levels of Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine), so the medicine might not be as effective at preventing seizures.